A Rosie O’Donnell reference from 1985? I’m not sure I buy it.
(sorry if this is an old point - trying to search on this just broke the search function, and when I tried again in two minutes it just broke it again)
I’m not sure about the original, Tyrannorabbit, but occasionally some editing is done to Cecil’s columns. For instance, when a column is reprinted in a book, it’s usually reviewed and updated as necessary; sometimes (but not routinely) there’s some updating when a “classic” column is posted on the website. So, there can be some material in the column that’s put in later than the publication date. See Forum Rules, Post #5.
Although O’Donnell was on Star Search in the early 80s, it appears that she didn’t really become a household name until some time after A League of Their Own in 1992 – and possibly not even until her talk show went on the air in 1996.
So the reference is almost certainly a later addition to the column. Makes one wonder what the original reference was.
Powers &8^]
Somewhat more plausible, but Oprah didn’t go national until 1986. Granted, she was big – ratings-wise – in Chicago in 84-85, but wasn’t The Straight Dope syndicated by then?
Also, in the mid-eighties her weight problems were just getting started. I find it hard to believe that in 1985, the best “heavy female” reference Cecil could come up with was a local talk-show host who weighed south of 200 pounds.
Powers &8^]